Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Department of Teaching and Learning
A Guide to Practicums
and Seminars for
PK4 and Mid-Level, Secondary, and
Special (PK-8) ECE PK4 Education
Majors
Updated: 9/14
Note: All practicum applicants must have updated clearances and TB test results.
FALL
Berwick/Hazleton Urban & Rural Practicum | Fall | ELEMED 496
This practicum/student teaching experience provides teacher candidates experiences for an entire
year in two different districts. Berwick is located approximately 13 miles from BU's campus,
while Hazleton is approximately 30 miles from campus. Berwick serves a more rural population,
and Hazleton serves a diverse urban population – particularly a large Latino population who are
English Language Learners. Students who enroll in the fall practicum are paired with a
classroom teacher in Berwick and Hazleton school districts. Mentor teachers are chosen
according to programs of study and concentrations (e.g. a middle school science teacher for ML
majors with a concentration in Science or a teacher in grades PK-4 for early childhood majors).
Practicum participants work with their mentor teachers on a weekly basis for the entire semester
(totaling ~70 hours in each placement). Additionally, the cohort of practicum students meets biweekly to debrief their experiences and discuss the development of their personal and
professional teaching identities. Students committing to the fall practicum return to the same
classrooms during the spring semester for student teaching. Sign-ups for the practicum begin
during the fall semester, one year in advance of the practicum experience.
Contact: Dr. Craig A. Young, Department of Teaching and Learning | McCormick 2218 | phone:
570.389.5180 | cyoung@bloomu.edu
Central Columbia School District PDS Practicum | Fall | PROFSTUD 320 (6 credits*)
Professional Development School is a K-12 program open to both undergraduate and graduate
students in any education major during the fall semester prior to spring semester student
teaching. University PDS students spend the fall semester in Central schools on Tuesdays and
Thursdays of each week. School district teachers and administrators teach modules in
technology, ethics, classroom management, instructional strategies, inclusion, assessment,
balanced literacy, brain-based learning, time management and writing. BU students will also
spend time working closely with two mentors in classrooms to observe, plan and teach lessons.
These mentors will be BU students’ co-operating teachers during spring semester student
teaching. A university faculty instructor is assigned to assist BU students during this schoolbased experience. All candidates must meet practicum objectives with their mentor teacher and
students with whom they are working by completing reflective journals, time sheets, case
studies, rubrics, and self-assessments on a pre/post basis that match the conceptual framework.
Contact: Applications are available in the Department of Teaching and Learning, MHSC 2221.
Contact Dr. Frank D’Angelo for more detailed information and assistance with scheduling for
secondary education majors. If accepted, BU students will be registered for PROFSTUD 320, a
6-credit course.
.
WINTER
Rosebud Sioux (South Dakota) Practicum | Winter | ELEMED 496/596
This teaching experience allows students to participate in classroom life on a Native American
Indian reservation. Students will travel to Mission, SD to stay on the Rosebud Sioux
Reservation. While there they will observe, teach, and reflect on their daily experiences within
the Todd County School District. They will also learn about the rich cultural heritage of the
Lakota Sioux Nation. As part of this practicum experience, students will take part in ongoing
service work with Habitat for Humanity within the Rosebud Nation. Educational side trips will
demonstrate the power and uses of museums and memorials, as well as artifacts and experiential
learning opportunities, in the educational process. This winter interim practicum session will run
from January 3rd – January 13th. Sign-up through the supervising professors.
Contact: Dr. Craig A. Young, Department of Teaching and Learning | McCormick 2218 | phone:
570.389.5180 | cyoung@bloomu.edu
SPRING
BU/Danville Area School District PDS Practicum | Winter | PROFSTUD 320 (6 credits*)
Professional Development School (PDS) is a K-4 program designed to provide both undergraduate
and graduate students in the Early Childhood Education Certification (PK-4) major, and Special
Education (PK-8)/Early Childhood Education (PK-4) Dual Certification major with practical schoolbased experiences during the fall semester prior to spring semester student teaching. An emphasis is
on the inclusion of students in the regular class. Bloomsburg University PDS students spend the fall
semester in Danville schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week. School district administrators
teach first year induction teacher modules in technology-interactive whiteboards, and teacher
webpage development; ethics; classroom and behavior management; RtII and differentiated
instruction; gifted education; curriculum-based assessment (CBA) and measurement (CBM);
progress monitoring; portfolios; resumes; and interviews. Each BU student also spends time working
closely with one mentor to observe, plan and teach lessons in his/her classroom. This mentor
becomes one of the BU student’s co-operating teachers during spring semester student teaching. A
university faculty supervisor is assigned to assist BU students during this school-based experience.
All candidates must meet practicum objectives with their mentor teacher and students with whom
they are working by completing lesson reflections, rubrics, progress monitoring graphs, service
learning projects and self-assessments on a pre/post basis that match the conceptual framework.
Contact: Applications are available for the Danville Area School District’s Primary and Intermediate
Schools in the Dept. of Exceptionality Programs, 104 Navy Hall. Contact Dr. Robin Drogan for
more detailed information for Early Childhood Education Certification (PK-4) majors, and Special
Education (PK-8)/Early Childhood Education (PK-4) Dual Certification majors. If accepted, BU
students will be registered for 79.320, a 6-credit course.
*3 of the 6 practicum credits will count as an elective.
[Special Education (PK-8)/Early Childhood Education (PK4) Dual Certification majors
contact your advisor regarding substitutions for the 6 credits.]
SUMMER
Milton Area School District Practicum | Summer | PROFSTUD 461/561
The three-week summer practicum will immerse BU students in the Milton Area School District
with a mentor teacher in their area of certification. BU students will teach formal lessons, attend
professional development workshops, participate in a community service project, and lead an
evening community engagement night for the students and families of Milton Area School
District.
This practicum is open to all undergraduate and graduate Early Childhood, Middle Level,
Secondary Education and Special Education students.
Contact: Dr. Michael M. Patte (mpatte@bloomu.edu) or Dr. Thomas Starmack
(tstarmac@bloomu.edu)
Southern Columbia School District Practicum | Summer | ELEMED 496/596
The Southern Columbia Practicum offers summer enrichment opportunities for rising 1st through 5th
grade students. Practicum participants assess students to determine appropriate placements for smallgroup reading and writing groups, as well as targeted instruction and interventions. Participants
collaborate to teach individualized, small group and whole class activities. Instruction focuses on
integrating reading, writing, and word study across content areas utilizing the Four-Block Model. The
practicum runs weekly (Monday-Thursday) from May through the beginning of July starting on campus
and moving to G. C. Hartman Elementary Center for tutoring. Classroom instruction on campus teaches
the diagnostic tools to be used with our students. The practicum focuses primarily on language arts
instruction in the elementary classroom setting, but is open to any undergraduate or graduate education
major wishing to gain experience teaching as part of a summer tutoring program in a rural area. An
application can be obtained in MCHS 2215 and are accepted at any time up to the end of Spring
semester classes.
Contact: Dr. Craig A. Young, Department of Teaching and Learning | McCormick 2218 | phone:
570.389.5180 | cyoung@bloomu.edu
Urban Center Seminar (Bethlehem Area School District) | Summer | PROFSTUD 461/561
The Bethlehem & Easton practicum provides a specialized field experience for students desiring
to experience and learn about inner-city schools and urban education. Emphasis includes the
learning development of children and adolescents, effective instructional and management
strategies, characteristics of community and family involvement, and community volunteer
work. Schools selected will be in an urban environment. Field assignments will be based on the
student’s major and area of interest. All candidates must meet practicum objectives with their
mentor teacher and students with whom they are working by completing reflective journals, time
sheets, case studies, rubrics, and self-assessments on a pre/post basis that match the conceptual
framework. Housing is available at Lehigh University. Admission by approval of instructor.
Contact: Dr. Frank D’Angelo, McCormick 2219, fdangelo@bloomu.edu;
Dr. Molly Marnella McCormick 3209, mmarnell@bloomu.edu, or Dr. Cherie Roberts,
McCormick 2217 or croberts@bloomu.edu in the Department of Teaching and Learning
Reggio Practicum -- ELEMED 461/561 (3 credits) and a 310 Independent Studies Special
Topics course that can be substituted for a variety of courses that may include
Multicultural Education (EDFOUND 406); an advanced history courses (300 or 400-level)
for mid-level candidates; or any program-required course pre-approved by the department
chair or dean.
In this two-week practicum, teacher candidates will have the opportunity to study-abroad in Italy
at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center and to observe teachers and students within the
Reggio schools. The Italy Practicum consists of in-service seminars, hands-on learning, and
actual observations within the Reggio Children’s Schools. Included is the teacher candidate’s
awareness of how foreign language, diverse cultures, and children from many different
backgrounds impact teaching and learning.
Reggio Emilia is an affluent city of approximately 170,000 inhabitants and is located in the
Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. This area is the birthplace of the famous early
childhood educational pioneer, Loris Malaguzzi. His educational theories will be experienced by
teacher candidates as they learn from the master teachers who have developed this unique
approach to facilitating young children’s learning through the use of careful observations,
guiding lessons based upon children’s areas of interests, and infusions of the arts and play within
much of the learning.
Within this experience, teacher candidates will earn six academic credits through Bloomsburg
University while traveling to historical and culturally important cities. Required by all
participants (461/561 Urban Practicum - 3 credits and a 310 Independent Studies Special Topics
course that can be substituted for a variety of courses that may include Multicultural Education
(EDFOUND 406); an advanced history courses (300 or 400-level) for mid-level candidates; or
any program-required course pre-approved by the department chair or dean – 3 credits). Dr.
David Walker and Dr. Caryn Terwilliger will supervise and facilitate the learning in this studyabroad experience. The Reggio Practicum leaves on May 17, 2014 and returns on June 1, 2014.
Contact: Admission application procedures and detailed practicum information are available by
contacting either Dr. David Walker, McCormick 1137, 389-4076 (dwalker@bloomu.edu) or Dr.
Caryn Terwilliger McCormick 3208, 389-4879 (cterwill@bloomu.edu), both in the Department
of Teaching and Learning for detailed information. The application process for selected teacher
candidates will be determined during the fall semester (October). There will be two mandatory
QUEST preparatory meetings to develop team building and skills necessary for study-abroad
held during the spring 2015.
*3 of the 6 practicum credits will count as an elective.
[Special Education (PK-8)/Early Childhood Education (PK4) Dual Certification majors
contact your advisor regarding substitutions for the 6 credits.]
Bloomsburg Area School District PDS Internship Program | Summer | PROFSTUD 312
(3 credits*)
This K-12 field-based experience is designed for any education major wishing to complete an
intensive pre-student teaching experience. Students are matched with a cooperating teacher in
their area of study. Students complete 120 hours of supervised classroom experience under the
direct guidance of their cooperating teacher and university supervisor. A practicum contract is
developed to specify the objectives, schedule and desired outcomes for completion of the
practicum. Students may return to the same classroom for their student teaching experience.
District staff will provide four afternoon seminars to highlight critical content for pre-service
educators. This 3 credit –internship experience will serve as a bridge to a successful student
teaching semester. Elementary, Secondary and Special Education majors are welcome. This is a
spring practicum only for fall student teachers.
Contact: Applications are available in the Department of Teaching and Learning (MHSC 2221)
and the Dept. of Exceptionality Programs (Navy 104). Contact Dr. Walter Zilz for more detailed
information and scheduling assistance. If accepted, students will be registered for PROFSTUD
312.